Founded in January 1999, the DPLP conducts the only national litigation program that addresses civil-rights and civil-liberties violations in drug-related cases. The DPLP has litigated cases in Federal courts that have focused on drug testing, electronic music culture, government programs, harm-reduction, medical marijuana, racial justice, religious freedom, and voting rights. The DPLP also provides legal support to ACLU drug reform efforts at the local, State, and national levels. Even prior to the establishment of the DPLP, the ACLU has been an outspoken critic of the war on drugs since the Reagan administration renewed efforts to counter illicit drug abuse at the cost of civil liberties in the early 1980's. The ACLU opposes the criminal prohibition of drugs, largely because it has been a failure and subjects otherwise law-abiding citizens to arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment for what they do in private. Moreover, African-Americans and Latinos are disproportionately victimized by the war on drugs, although they do not use or traffic in drugs at higher rates than other Americans. Harm to oneself, believes the ACLU, should not be punished, only harm to others. This report focuses on DPLP litigation activities that have involved issues of race and poverty, public health, youth, and civil liberties in the context of the war on drugs. Activities under the issues of race and poverty pertain to drug sweeps, racial profiling, the focus on public housing as sites of drug use, welfare drug testing, welfare reform, sentencing reform, and felony re-enfranchisement. Public health issues include medical marijuana, needle exchange, and ballot initiatives. Issues that have involved youth include school anti-drug measures, anti-rave initiatives, financial aid for education, and speakers' bureau. Civil liberties issues have focused on drug zones, religious freedom, workplace drug testing, and search and seizure. Media coverage and funding for DPLP activities are also discussed.